Explosion at Pennsylvania Candy Factory Leaves Seven Dead, Company Cited for Safety Violations
Smoke billowed from the R.M. Palmer Co. plant in West Reading, Pennsylvania on March 24, 2023, following a devastating explosion that claimed the lives of seven workers and injured nearly a dozen others. The US Department of Labor has announced that the candy factory failed to evacuate its employees, despite several reports of gas leaks and the smell of gas prior to the explosion.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), R.M. Palmer was cited for multiple safety violations, including the failure to evacuate workers during a natural gas leak, the absence of a clearly marked exit sign, and the use of spliced flexible cords at the manufacturing plant. OSHA Area Director Kevin T. Chambers expressed his disappointment in the company’s lack of concern for its employees’ safety, stating, “Ensuring the safety of a workplace is expected of employers and required by law. The company could have prevented this horrific tragedy by following required safety procedures.”
The explosion occurred around 5 p.m., causing the complete destruction of the R.M. Palmer Co. facility and shocking the tight-knit community of West Reading. Residents were devastated by the loss of life and the destruction of the chocolatier’s operation, which has been part of the community for over six decades. R.M. Palmer is well-known for manufacturing seasonal chocolate novelties, such as Easter chocolate bunnies.
The victims of the explosion have been identified as Amy Sandoe, Domingo Cruz, Xiorky D. Nunez, Susan H. Halvonik, Michael D Breedy, Diana M. Cedeno, and Judith Lopez-Moran. Eleven others were hospitalized due to the blast.
Following an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), it was discovered that natural gas had been leaking from a service tee, installed in 1982, which had a crack at the top. Additionally, a smaller leak was found in a new service line installed in 2021. R.M. Palmer has disputed OSHA’s claims, stating that the NTSB’s report does not explicitly state that the gas leaks were inside any of the company’s buildings, as they were located under a public street.
R.M. Palmer expressed its grief over the loss of its employees and rejected OSHA’s citation, calling it “inflammatory, callous, and irresponsible.” The company has already contested the proposed penalties and citations, which amount to $44,483. It believes that until the NTSB concludes its investigation, there is no basis to evaluate OSHA’s claim that an evacuation would have prevented the tragedy.
Founded in 1948, R.M. Palmer employs approximately 850 people across North America. As the investigation continues, the community of West Reading mourns the loss of life and awaits further developments in this tragic incident.